KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The journey back to the active roster is complete for Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco and defensive end Charles Omenihu.
The club activated both players from injured reserve Thursday, and both are expected to play on in tomorrow’s Black Friday game against the Las Vegas Raiders. On Wednesday, coach Andy Reid said he expected Pacheco and Omenihu to play if all went well after that day’s practice and Thursday morning’s walk-through.
“I mean, as long as they’re OK,” Reid said. “We’ll check on it again today, I’ve been trying to take it day by day. If they’re good after today then we’ll play them, yep.”
Pacheco has missed the team’s last nine games after fracturing his fibula in Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals. In two games this season, Pacheco rushed for 135 yards and a touchdown, averaging 4.0 yards per carry, while catching seven passes for 54 yards. He’s expected to join Kareem Hunt in giving the Chiefs a 1-2 punch in the backfield.
The addition of Pacheco leaves the Chiefs with five running backs on the active roster along with Hunt, Samaje Perine, Carson Steele and Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
Omenihu’s return from injured reserve has been longer and more challenging since suffering a torn ACL in last season’s AFC Championship game against Baltimore on Jan. 28.
Omenihu missed the first six games of the 2023 season due to a suspension but finished the campaign with seven sacks, 11 quarterback hits and 28 tackles in 11 games. The Chiefs could use an infusion of production with their sack production this season declining more than 40% from a year ago. The Kansas City defense produced 55 sacks a year ago, ranking No. 2 in the league. This season the Chiefs are on pace for just 31 sacks and rank No. 26 in sacks per game.
The return of Omenihu leaves the Chiefs with six edge rushers along with George Karlaftis, Mike Danna, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Joshua Uche and Malik Herring. The Chiefs expect to play a five-man rotation heading into the playoffs, with Herring likely the odd man out.
Kansas City also elevated kicker Matthew Wright and tight end Anthony Firkser from the practice squad for Friday’s game. Wright will fill in for Spencer Shrader, who injured a hamstring during a workout Monday. Firkser replaces tight end Peyton Hendershot, who was placed on injured reserve this week due to a calf injury.
